Fresh snowfall at Kothi, Kalpa, Rohtang Pass

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 25

Widespread rains lashed several parts of Himachal while high altitude tribal areas and other higher hills received fresh snowfall, causing fall in mercury bringing cheers to apple growers and framers who were worried due to the ongoing dry spell.

Rohtang Pass, Kothi and Kalpa received 30 cm, 22 cm and 19 cm of snow while Churdhar ranges in Sirmaur district and Keylong had 16 cm and 13 cm of fresh snow.

Saloni was the wettest in the region with 54 mm of rains followed by Kheri 53 mm, Manali 50 mm, Dalhousie 48 mm, Chamba 32 mm, Seobagh 26 mm, Reckong Peo 25 mm, Kufri 24 mm, Bhuntar 21 mm, Bharmaur 20 mm, Rohru 18 mm, Chhatarari and Kumarsen 17 mm each, Dharamshala, Khadrala, Bajura, Sarahan and Shimla 16 mm each, Pachhad and Solan 14 mm each, Nahan and Kasauli 13 mm each, Narkanda, Baijnath and Palampur 12 mm each, Gaggal, Paonta Sahib and Renuka 11 mm each, Jubbar Hatti, Moorang, Jubbal and Nurpur 10 mm each. The minimum temperatures decreased by few notches. Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti was coldest at night with a low of minus 3 degree followed by Kalpa minus 1.8 degrees while the key tourist resorts of Manali, Dalhousie and Shimla recorded a minimum temperature at 1 degree, 4.3 degree and 4.6 degree C, respectively. The maximum temperatures increased by 3 to 4 degrees.

The Met office has predicted dry weather in the region till February 28 and rains and thunder showers in low hills from March 1 onwards.

Avalanche warning 

The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) on Sunday issued an avalanche warning for some districts of the state. The warning was issued in a SASE advisory that followed a fresh round of snowfall in some areas of the state. A medium-danger avalanche warning has been issued for Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts and low-danger warning for prone areas of Kinnaur district above 2,600 m altitude.  “People are advised not to venture in avalanche-prone slopes or areas for the next 24 hours," it said. The warning is valid for the next 24 hours beginning 5 pm on Sunday. — PTI